If you have received a letter from the Registry of Motor Vehicles informing you that your license or right to drive has been suspended due to an indefinite immediate threat complaint, it is likely that a police officer or medical professional filed a complaint with the Registry stating that you are not safe to drive.
A Registry Hearing Officer reviewed the complaint and issued an indefinite immediate threat revocation. You cannot operate a motor vehicle until your license is reinstated and the revocation will not expire. The only way to get your license back is to be cleared by a RMV Hearing Officer or the Board of Appeal.
I have developed a very effective 3 step process to deal with these Indefinite Immediate Threat Revocations.
Step 1. The first step is to collect information. I will obtain a copy of the complaint that triggered the license suspension. The contents of that complaint will determine how next to proceed. In some cases, there’s an accident or erratic driving. In other cases, there’s a medical concern. Obtaining a copy of this complaint is the critical starting point of the reinstatement process.
Step 2. Develop evidence. The second step of my process is to obtain documentary evidence showing that the driver is safe to operate and his or her license should be reinstated. This may involve obtaining medical clearance, a risk of recidivism letter, or the completion of safe driving classes. I sometimes advise getting letters of recommendation.
Step 3. The third step towards reinstatement is the Registry hearing. This hearing is conducted over the phone by conference call. After submitting documents and briefly speaking with the RMV Hearing Officer, I will add the client to the call and we will have a 3-way conference regarding the incident that triggered the immediate threat suspension and our evidence which shows that the client qualifies for the reinstatement of his or her driver’s license.
Some people panic upon receipt of the immediate threat revocation letter and they immediately schedule a hearing. This is a major mistake. No hearing should be scheduled until you have a copy of the complaint that was filed against you and documentary evidence that addresses the allegations and shows that you are safe to operate. The suspension notice may state that you must schedule a hearing within 10 days. This is not true. You can schedule a hearing at any time.
If there are criminal charges pending, the Registry will not consider reinstatement until the case is resolved in court. However, reinstatement may be possible by going to the Board of Appeal. In those situations, there is no need to go before a Registry Hearing Officer, you can go directly to the Board of Appeal. The Board can order the Registry to reinstate.